complexion

noun

com·​plex·​ion kəm-ˈplek-shən 

1

: the hue or appearance of the skin and especially of the face

a dark complexion

2

a

: an individual complex of ways of thinking or feeling

b

: a complex of attitudes and inclinations

All the armed partisan groups in the city, of whatever political complexion, immediately joined in the fighting …

—Anna Louise Strong

3

: overall aspect or character

… by changing the complexion of the legislative branch …

—Trevor Armbrister

4

: the combination of the hot, cold, moist, and dry qualities held in medieval physiology to determine the quality of a body

complexional

kəm-ˈplek-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

complexioned

kəm-ˈplek-shənd 

adjective

Synonyms of complexion

• color
• coloring
• tone

Examples of complexion in a Sentence

She has a dark complexion.

All of the children had healthy complexions.

The complexion of the neighborhood has changed over the years.

Recent Examples on the Web

These shimmery products can be just as pigmented and radiant as powder formulas, while being incredibly easy to build and blend into the rest of your complexion essentials. —Denise Primbet, Glamour, 3 Nov. 2025

That’ll happen to other players, too, as the complexion of the roster changes, and that’ll lead to more tweaks and more mentality shifts. —Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025

This weightless, non-irritating formula helps fade everything from dark spots and sun damage to stubborn hyperpigmentation and brown patches, revealing a more even, radiant complexion over time. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 30 Oct. 2025

Since the inaugural event in 2023, TBFE has raised over $250,000 for local charities while giving opportunities to models of all shapes, sizes, complexions, and abilities to walk runways, not just in Tampa, but at New York Fashion Week and Miami Swim Week. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English complexioun "(of substances, parts of the body, or persons) constitution or nature resulting from a combination of the four humors, healthy disposition, facial color taken as indicating the proportion of humors, (in general) constitution, nature," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French complexion, complection "humor, combination of humors, physical constitution or nature, facial color" borrowed from Medieval Latin complexiōn-, complexiō "combination of humors or other elements, constitution, temperament," going back to Latin, "action of circling, combination, collection," from complector, complectī "to embrace, grasp, encompass, include" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at complex entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing complexion

• peaches and cream complexion
• put a new/different complexion on

Rhymes for complexion

• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• confection
• connection
• connexion
• convection
• correction
• defection

Kids Definition

complexion

noun

com·​plex·​ion kəm-ˈplek-shən 

1

: the hue or appearance of the skin and especially of the face

has a dark complexion

2

: general appearance : character

information that changes the whole complexion of a situation

complexioned

-shənd 

adjective

Medical Definition

complexion

noun

com·​plex·​ion kəm-ˈplek-shən 

1

: the combination of the hot, cold, moist, and dry qualities held in medieval physiology to determine the quality of a body

2

: the hue or appearance of the skin and especially of the face

a dark complexion

complexioned

-shənd 

adjective